Use of a recyclable poly(N-vinyl carbazole) palladium(II) complex catalyst: Heck cross-coupling reaction under phosphine-free and aerobic conditions

A novel pathway for cross-coupling reaction of terminal alkenes with aryl halides (Heck cross-coupling) has been described using a new phosphine-free poly(N-vinyl carbazole) anchored palladium(II) complex as catalyst in aerobic conditions. The catalyst was found to be highly active for the couplings of a variety of substituted and non-substituted aryl halides with terminal alkenes and to smoothly afford the corresponding desired products in good to excellent yields. The catalyst can be reused at least six times without noticeable decrease in catalytic activity.